Belly laugh

Meaning

The idiom "belly laugh" refers to a sudden, intense burst of laughter that comes from deep within the stomach, often accompanied by involuntary physical reactions such as bending over or reaching upwards. Figuratively, the idiom can be used to describe a situation that is so funny or humorous that it causes someone to have a belly laugh.

Usage

• I'm sorry, but I just can't help laughing every time I hear your joke. It always gives me a belly laugh!
• We had such a good time at the party last night that we were all belly laughing by the end of it.
• I never thought I would find something so funny, but this movie has me belly laughing from start to finish.
• The comedian's jokes were so bad that they just made everyone groan and roll their eyes, not even a belly laugh in sight.
• I can't believe how much I'm enjoying this book - it's got me belly laughing every few pages!

Roots and History

The origin of the idiom "belly laugh" is unclear, but it has been used in English since at least the 17th century. One theory suggests that the phrase comes from the fact that laughter can cause physical reactions such as bending over or reaching upwards, which could be described as coming from deep within the stomach (the "belly"). Another theory is that the idiom was popularized by the famous British comedian Charlie Chaplin, who often performed physical comedy and had a signature move where he would bend over and laugh with his whole body. Over time, the usage of the idiom has become more common in everyday language and has been adapted to describe a wide range of situations that are considered funny or humorous.

Synonyms in English

• gut-buster
• belly-tickler
• rib-tickler
• knee-slapper
• side-splitter

Synonyms in other languages

• Español: guffaw - a loud, explosive laugh that comes from deep within the chest or stomach
• Français: roulade - a sudden burst of laughter that is strong and long
• Italiano: zoccolare - a hearty laugh that involves physical reactions such as bending over or clapping
• German: Kegelgelachen - a deep, full-bodied laugh that comes from the abdominal muscles
• Russian: кукла – смешной шутка, настолько смешная, что у вас кукла

Similar Idioms

• big mouth

• bona fide

• back to basics